Is the Catholic church poised to accept homosexuality?

Is it a new era for the papacy?

Pope Francis has reached farther than any of his predecessors in accepting homosexuality by stating Monday that he wouldn't judge priests for their sexual orientation.

“If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Francis asked during a wide-ranging interview during a flight back to the Vatican after his first foreign trip to Brazil.

While the statement doesn't clarify whether the Pope is open to the church accepting homosexuality beyond the clergy, it's definitely an unprecedented step toward some level of acceptance.

Since being selected pope back in March, Francis has already removed many of the formalities of the position, choosing to carry his own bags, ride in open cars and conduct discussions and interviews without Vatican approvals.

Does this mean the Pope is open to discussing issues like female priests, married priests or acceptance of artificial birth control?

Not likely, but just mentioning sexual orientation shows that Francis could represent a new, more common-sense era for the papacy.

So we ask you: Is the Catholic church poised to accept homosexuality?

Have your say in the comments area below.